Striker Strategies

There are soccer games, there are good soccer games, and then there's FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup®, which redefines the sport for an entire generation of console owners.

A star-studded simulation featuring the world's top clubs and players, it's got unrivaled mass-market appeal. Sure to be an international success, take it as a given that you'll spend hours each day immersed in the simulation's pixel-perfect action.

Just make sure you've had a gander at the hints and tips below before doing so. Jumping in headfirst means facing off against the finest competitors from around the globe, so you need all the help you can get.

Play Dirty
Opponents are smart and, given the nature of the game, the ball changes hands frequently. Hence it's inevitable that they occasionally get the upper hand. Desperate times call for desperate measures—don't be afraid to slide-tackle (X button) a competitor if they're tearing ahead of the pack or you're severely outmanned by the offense.

Kicking the ball out of bounds is often a smart move. It's better to take a penalty or cause a throw-in than let an adversary score against you. Be careful when attempting these stunts, though; they're high-risk, high-reward maneuvers. If you miss, you leave your goal completely open to attack.

Guaranteed to hurt in the morning.

Cycle the Ball
Given that each team has 11 players and the field is only so wide, your maneuverability is limited. You can't just charge ahead in a straightforward fashion and hope to retain possession of the ball. Instead, like the pros, try a more wily approach; constantly pass the ball back and forth between teammates to throw challengers off-guard. Road to FIFA World Cup offers intuitive controls for executing one-two passes, crosses, and fancy combos—make use of them.

Don't be afraid to kick the ball to a trailing ally either. Remain in constant motion—press ahead, fall back, and constantly shift control of the checkered sphere from one teammate to the next. Staying unpredictable is the key to victory.

Keep Passes Short
The longer the distance a pass travels, the greater the chance it'll be intercepted by an opponent. Keep friends close, and quickly kick the ball to them using short, straight shots whenever possible. While cross/long and through passes can get you out of a pinch, I wouldn't recommend using them unless the pressure's on.

The basic pass (A button) is highly effective in its own right, and should be employed most of the time. There's no sense taking chances with risky long passes unless absolutely necessary.

Wow them with your footwork.

Trick or Treat
Strategic options are endless. Fake dribbles, pace-controlling techniques, chip shots ... a multitude of tactical options lies at your fingertips. Using the triggers and face buttons, you can execute a huge variety of moves, all of which you should employ against opponents. Call for help when you're being outfoxed. Juggle the ball through your legs and past defenders with a flick of the right-hand joystick.

Whatever you do, be certain you take advantage of the control options provided. It's possible to play the game without ever accessing the advanced maneuvers, but these features will help you improve your technique tremendously.

Try the Dual-Pronged Approach
Fun as breakaways can be, scoring is a fine science—seldom does one striker simply sprint for the goal, fire away, and succeed. If you're hoping to rack up a few points, employ a strategic approach instead. Work with teammates to crowd different sides of the net, then ping-pong the ball between you until someone's got an open shot. The goalie can only be in one place at any given time; tempt him into rushing you, and when he takes the bait, pass the ball to a wingman that's in position to head or kick it in.

Avoid being a glory hog.

Relax and Enjoy the Ride
Pressing the sprint button is tempting—who doesn't enjoy a sudden burst of speed? Unfortunately, the game isn't set in fantasy land—it's not a license to blissfully turbo your way across the field. The faster you run, the less control you have over the ball, so hold off on doing your Carl Lewis impression until there's an opportunity to use it effectively.

Likewise, keep in mind that teammates aren't just included for show, they're a core part of any offensive strategy. If you pull ahead, wait for them to catch up, lest you run the risk of facing off against three or more angry Argentines alone.

Article by Chris Zimmerman